Archives: History-Events

In April 1935, Ciffside School’s principal was killed in an auto wreck. The entire town was stunned. The Purple Cloud, the school paper, devoted its entire May issue to the man and the incident.

The Dan and Mattie Freeman family of Cliffside had two sons, Cordie and Flay. In 1925, Flay drowned at the tender age of 23. Ironically, his older brother Cordie also died from drowning—52 years later.

May Pole Dance

They called it A May Zing, and it was— another fine day on old Main Street. There was a May pole near the clock tower, pickers and singers, and lots of artists and artisans. Long-lost friends (and some not so long-lost) hugged, reminisced, and found new friends among the many visitors to Cliffside.

May 14 is Mother’s Day in Cliffside, as well as Memorial Day. In honor of all our mothers, we’ve put in the Documents section a very special newsletter from the Baptist church, called The Cliffside Baptist Booster. It was published in May 1924.

There are big doin’s in Cliffside on Saturday May 13. From 9:00am to 6:00pm on Old Main Street, from the Clock Tower to the Blue Moon Gallery, there will be artisans, artists and performers. Live bluegrass music will emanate from the porch of the newly-arrived Haynes cabin. Meet the people whose works of art are featured at the Blue Moon, and many others. See them at work; buy their wares. And drop by the tent of the Cliffside Historical Society and get a copy of our latest newsletter, and, in case you need one or more, autographed copies of the “Cliffside book” will be available, as will the author. Find out all about the event by reading its official flyer.

On May 21, 1981, Cliffside lost one of its finest and most loyal citizens, Roy Lee Harris. The sad story of his death is related in these news stories of the terrible accident caused by a drunk driver.

After 42 years, H. C. Beatty retired as principal of Cliffside School. The Courier did a nice story on May 14, 1969. Mr. Beatty came to Cliffside in 1927. Did you know “H. C.” stood for Harley Connell, and that he became principal (in 1935) after the current principal was killed in a car wreck?
Also, we’ve discovered a number of old news items and census information placing Mr. B. in Lincoln and Gaston counties before he came to Cliffside. See the link on the retirement story.

There’s a story from the Courier about the program over at the Duke plant, and lots of purty pitchers taken back in Cliffside proper.

Had the adults had their faces painted, they couldn’t have had more fun. It was a fine Friday evening/Saturday. Read the stories and see the photos of the Gathering and Cliffside Day, in the newly-revamped Society News page.

Things are rapidly changing in our little village, as you saw if you attended Cliffside Day, on Saturday, Oct. 14 (2006). Did you know that most of Old Main Street has recently been repaved? And there are now several new houses going up along or near the street.

It could be an historic moment. On September 8, 2005 there was a ground breaking for the first new home in Old Cliffside in many years.

Janice and Marc Swing have taken the first step toward rebuilding the town. You may be surprised at the design and location of this first of several new homes to come.

Text and pictures on the building of R.R. Haynes’ tomb circa 1917. Rare Hames Studio photos from the Press Freeman family collection.

Cliffside was mostly a quiet place—but not entirely. Read of serious mayhem within our precincts: stabbings, robberies, that sort of thing.

Here’s Jack Huskey working the grill on RC Day (Oct. 13). It’s just one of about three-dozen photos Wayne Millis snapped that day. See them all in our slide show.

Hannibal (not his real name) was one of hundreds who enjoyed the day. With the photos by Marilyn Moore Kerr and Sherry Harris Phelps, we’ve assembled a dandy slide show. It includes shots from both Friday and Saturday.

Cliffside Day on Oct. 8, 2011, was a big success. Old Main Street, from the clock tower to the Post Office, was well populated with excited people and entries in the Old Car & Tractor Show. Here are the shots made by Marilyn Moore Kerr. More will be added when we get them. Anyone care to share their photos of the event?

Who knew? There are groups of people out there who come together to do all sorts of extraordinary things. The common interest of one particular group we’ve recently heard about is to photograph trains. Not just any trains, but selected engines at specific locations on a predetermined date—and at great effort and expense. This group chose an old engine that once rode the rails in Cliffside, restored its colors and name, and spent a joyous day taking pictures. How did they choose this engine? What lengths did they go to? Where did they come from? Read on.